Most entrepreneurs and small business owners come from humble beginnings. The basement, dorm room, or garage were all typical locations where some of the most successful businesses started. Eventually after launching a business and after some successful market testing, most must move their operations to an office, purchase a vacant lot or buy a commercial space.
Since most small businesses are first-time buyers, they usually have a hard time navigating into a successful transition. Questions such as whether the space or lot will meet the physical needs of the company or if the demographics of the area are the right target market will inevitably come up. The good news is that Alamo’s incentives can ease those transitions, and the Rio Grande Valley is also home to a diverse group of individuals.
For business expansion programs offered by the Alamo EDC, you can call us at 956.787.6622.
Beautiful Land, Affordable Prices, Inexpensive Living
When driving down the streets of Alamo, it’s not hard to see immense commercial growth. The strength of Alamo’s progress and new developments are easy to find by seeing the number of new businesses that continue to appear and make a name for themselves! Such new locations like Carl’s Jr., Goodwill and Stripes on 495 are perfect examples of companies taking advantage of commercial properties available in Alamo.
The Alamo area has commercial properties ranging from 3,000 square feet to 4.9 acres in size. Sprinkled across some of the consumer-busy areas are Business 83, Los Alamos Drive, Tower Road and South Alamo Road. These potential locations for future businesses are great for entrepreneurs looking for immediate brand awareness.
With an estimated population of over 18,000, the City of Alamo provides a large potential market and easier availability for a workforce to grow and become successful. For complete listings of available commercial properties, office space and vacant land, click here.
The cost of living is also something that should be brought up. Alamo’s cost of living is 25% lower than the national average. Combine that with the proximity to the popular summer destinations of South Padre Island and the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 400 distinct bird species, and things start to make a little more business sense.
Big Opportunities for Small Businesses
Part of our Business Expansion and Retention Program is working with startups, small businesses and established businesses in Alamo to help generate ideas that work towards sustaining successful operations. The Alamo EDC and Alamo Chamber of Commerce provide great opportunities throughout the year to network and expand a business’s customer base.
The Alamo EDC also has two funding loan programs available for qualifying businesses. The USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program and the Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program will help assist small businesses in Alamo. These revolving loan programs will also assist smaller startups through expansion.
Throughout the year, the Alamo EDC offers training programs that help small businesses that have developed a certain expertise – whether it’s a dental office or plumbing repair company – refine their business strategies and learn about new technologies to give them a better grasp of the South Texas market. The Alamo EDC has partnered with other organizations such as the Women’s Business Center and Small Business Administration to provide training resources.
Winter Texans and Bird Watchers Boost Alamo’s Economy
Winter Texans are people who relocate to the Lone Star State, particularly the South Texas region, for the cold winter months. Most are residents who usually have the wealth to own two homes in different parts of the United States and Canada. Out of the estimated 99,000 that reside in the Rio Grande Valley, 20,000 of them live in Alamo’s Winter Texan RV and recreation parks.
Hailing from states like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri, Winter Texans have an average income of $59,000. According to the 2013-2014 Winter Texan Report from the University of Texas-Pan American Business and Tourism Research Center, these “snow birds” spent an average of $13,400 per household. That’s a total contribution boost to the Valley’s economy of $710 million for last season.
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, located on Green Jay Rd. in Alamo, also contributes to the local economy and small businesses. Visiting exceeds 165,000 per year and with more than 90% of visitors staying between three-to-seven nights at local motel and bed and breakfast shops, it easy to see how Winter Texans and other visitors considerably contribute to seasonal population booms.
Visitors to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge send an economic rippling effect in Alamo and the Rio Grande Valley, contributing an estimated $34 million per year into the city’s economy. Are you getting excited about opening a business here? We thought so.
Space X, Ikea and the newly-minted University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine are also some of the institutions that will further help rocket scientists, wind engineers and medical doctors bring their spending power to the Valley.
We’re Here to Help
The Alamo EDC is here to help improve your business outlook and encourage the local commercial environment. Our economic development efforts are aimed at facilitating higher levels of prosperity for businesses of all scopes and sizes in Alamo. Through collaboration and innovation, our economic assisting efforts can help your business get through the first hurdle of becoming something bigger. For more information about all of the Alamo EDC’s business empowerment initiatives, reach out to us at 956.787.6622.